A Comparison of Marxist and Functionalist Approaches to the Study of Education

A Comparison of Marxist and Functionalist Approaches to the Study of Education

Both Marxists and Functionalists see education as serving the needs of

society but they differ in whether it is an industrial or capitalist

society. Functionalists see education as serving the needs of an

industrial society with an advanced division of labour. They believe

that it is important for the functioning of society that people are

slotted into work and social roles that match their abilities. They

see that pupils have their abilities and talents tested in schools so

that they can be channelled into roles appropriate to their abilities

and training, this is known as role allocation. Marxists would

disagree with this and are interested in the way education works in

the interests of the ruling class in a capitalist society. They see

the education system as driven by the needs of capitalism which wants

a work force that is easily exploited and accepts their exploitation.

Both Marxists and functionalists see education as a powerful influence

on students, making sure that they conform to societies norms and

values. Functionalists believe that this will lead to social harmony,

stability and social integration. Marxists believe that this is

directly in line with the kind of worker required by employers in a

capitalist society.

The French Functionalist Emile Durkeim believes that the school is

like a miniature version of society in that schools teach pupils how

to work with others in a social context. The Marxists Samuel Bowles

and Herbert Gintis argue that like the work place schools are based on

layers of authority, known as hierarchies. They see teachers as

giving orders and the pupils are expected to obey.

Both Marxists and Functionalists are macro theories that look at the

relationship between education and other parts of the social system.

They are not concerned with the individual.

They both also see schools justifying and explaining social

inequality. Marxists see that if this inequality was seriously

questioned it might threaten social stability, they say that one way